An apparatus includes a charger and a plurality of connectors such that a connector includes a switch and a connection between the charger and the connector. The charger is configured to direct a switch associated with one of the plurality of connectors to connect the connector with which it is associated to the charger. The charger is also configured to charge a device connected to the connector according to a type of battery detected in the device. A plurality of devices is charged using a prioritized charging scheme.
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1. An apparatus comprising: a plurality of connectors within a multiport charging dock, wherein each connector is configured to receive a device including a rechargeable battery; a charger, coupled to the plurality of connectors, to charge the battery of each device connected to one of the plurality of connectors according to a battery type detected in each of the devices; a plurality of switches, wherein the plurality of switches are coupled to the plurality of connectors to electrically couple the plurality of connectors to the charger; and circuitry (i) to control switching of the plurality of switches coupled to the plurality of connectors, (ii) to connect the plurality of connectors to the charger, and (iii) to permit charging current to flow from a variable current source to each device connected to one of the plurality of connectors based upon the battery type identified by a battery type identifier; wherein the charger charges a plurality of devices using first and second prioritized charging schemes when the plurality of devices are connected to the plurality of connectors, wherein the first prioritized charging scheme charges batteries in devices in a first subgroup of the plurality of devices over multiple other subgroups of the plurality of devices, and wherein the second prioritized charging scheme is used to charge batteries in devices within the first subgroup of the plurality of devices.
A multi-port charging dock has multiple connectors for devices with rechargeable batteries. A charger is connected to these connectors and charges each device based on its battery type. Switches control the connection between the charger and each connector. Circuitry controls these switches, connecting the connectors to the charger and allowing current flow from a variable source based on the identified battery type. The charger uses prioritized charging: one scheme prioritizes charging devices in a specific subgroup over others, while a second scheme prioritizes charging within that first subgroup.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the charger charges the plurality of devices simultaneously when the plurality of devices are connected to respective connectors of the plurality of connectors.
The multi-port charging dock described previously charges all connected devices simultaneously. This means that when multiple devices are plugged into the dock's connectors, the charger distributes power to each device concurrently to charge their batteries, instead of charging them one at a time.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the charger charges devices within the first subgroup simultaneously.
The multi-port charging dock described previously charges the devices within the highest priority group simultaneously. This means the devices designated as the top priority for charging receive power concurrently, allowing them to charge at the same time, potentially faster than devices in other priority groups.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a user interface for receiving instructions from a user defining the first and the second prioritized charging schemes.
The multi-port charging dock described previously includes a user interface that allows a user to define the prioritized charging schemes. This interface enables users to customize which devices or types of devices receive charging priority and to configure the specific rules governing the charging order and power distribution among the connected devices.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein when a first device is connected to a first connector of the plurality of connectors at a first time, and a second device is connected to a second connector of the plurality of connectors at a second time later than the first time, the charger diverts current from the first device to the second device according to relative capacities of batteries associated with the first and the second devices.
In the multi-port charging dock with customizable prioritized charging, if a first device connects at time one and a second connects later, the charger adjusts current allocation. The charger shifts current from the first device to the second, considering the relative battery capacities of both devices. This dynamic adjustment ensures efficient charging by prioritizing the newer connection based on battery needs.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the charger receives results of an identification of batteries coupled to the plurality of devices and determines one of the first or second prioritized charging schemes using the results.
The multi-port charging dock described previously determines the charging scheme based on the battery types of the connected devices. The charger identifies the battery types and then selects either the first or second prioritized charging scheme based on the results of this identification process. This allows the charging dock to optimize the charging process based on the specific battery characteristics of the connected devices.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the charger charges the plurality of devices serially according to an order in which the plurality of devices are connected to respective connectors of the plurality of connectors.
The multi-port charging dock described previously charges devices serially based on connection order. This means that the charger powers each device sequentially, starting with the first device connected and proceeding to subsequent devices in the order they were plugged in.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the charger charges devices according to an ordering of the connectors.
The multi-port charging dock described previously charges devices based on the physical ordering of the connectors in the dock. This means the charging priority or sequence is determined by the arrangement of the ports themselves, so a device plugged into the first connector in the dock might always be charged before or with more power than one plugged into the last connector.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
May 19, 2009
September 12, 2017
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